“Dan being dismissed won’t affect my decision,” Niskanen said. “However, I will pay attention to what the coaching staff is going to look like. It’s not the only factor in the decision. But it is a factor.”

Regardless of who the new coach is, Niskanen may already be ticketed out of town.

I don’t disagree at all. A lot of people think the Pens just can’t replace his presence on the power play, but I just plain disagree. I think it was a mistake not to give Despres more time last year, but I guess you can’t argue with the decision with waivers and all.

His puck moving can be replaced by what they already have available – his defense is just not that great. People were on him 2 years ago, then he had a great season last year, and this year was back to bad.

What I’m saying is that he’s going to be getting paid close to $6 million to be a 3rd or 4th defenseman. Being in that role will not allow him to produce the way he did. That’s why I feel he will be getting overpaid.

c9castine - Jun 12, 2014 at 12:56 AM

questionable. i dont think he gets that much and i think hell still have a similar season as a no. 3 but i get what your saying.

also, your missing the fact that a team wont be signing him to a 6 mil dollar deal to be a 3rd or 4th. your kinda contradicting yourself.

to think somebody is going to give him 6 mil is to pretty much know that he will be signed for the purpose of being a top pairing defender.

Nisky is going to get WAY overpaid this summer and I sincerely hope the Pens don’t weigh themselves down with that contract. Yes, Nisky had a great year this past season, I’ll give you that. Funny how that was in a contract year.

But he was TERRIBLE the year before, particularly in the Playoffs when he looked like a boy amongst men. There was major speculatuion he was going to be traded before this last season to clear cap space, that’s how poorly he played. He has been inconsistent throughout his career and benefitted from the system the Pens played plus was aided by partnering with young phenom Ollie Maata.

While I’d hate to “lose him for nothing”, the alternative will prove much more costly…mark my words.

I think Niskanen is over-rated. He is adequate and has a good shot and he’ll throw a check every once in a while but he lacks the size and aggressiveness he should have as a defenseman. I personally don’t mind seeing him go…especially if he’s going to cost big bucks.

As a Pens fan….You all can have him………He is a 5th defenseman, 3rd pairing defenseman on any team…….No better….Don’t let last year fool ya…..Someone pays him a ton of money…Pens let him walk….And rightfully so……He will be exposed if he leaves….Comparing him to Letang, like some Pens fans did last year, is a travesty and a joke…Letang has more talent in his big toe than Niskinan has in his whole body..

Agree about Letang as far as athleticism goes…but the problem is that Letang’s big toe has only played 63% of the season, average, over the past three seasons. Also, I’d argue that Niskanen is safer with the puck. Letang’s had like 1.05 giveaways per game played last year, which would have put him around 6th-7th highest. Letang would be hands-down the better player if he could just make the smart play.

But the argument that I wanted to make is that if Niskanen wasn’t exposed last year, with all the injuries on the blue line, I’m not sure he will be. He had a great year, but I really do think he’s a fairly dependable player. He’s not the best skater, but can pass well, and makes good decisions.

Letang is high risk, high reward…The Pens can’t win a Cup without Letang…they can win one without Niskinin…….and in those 63% games he played, he had 11 goals…in just 63%……..you proved my point…..I think Niskinin will walk…I say let him….Bring up Despres and maybe Ulf’s kid…not to mention Pouliotte (spelling?)……Bye Bye Niskinin….